Surface working method



Aug. l7, 1943'. I FANMNG 2,326,848

SURFACE WORKING METHOD;

Original Filed Sept. 2, 1939 8Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Fred H. I'Emm'ng ATTORNEY- 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Fred Ii Fmnm BY ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1943. F. H. FANNING SURFACE WORKING METHOD Original Filed Sept. 2, 1939 a Sheets-Sheet? luv Qa Aug. 17; 1943. FANNING 2,326,848

s umwm wonxme Mmnon Original'Filed Sept. 2, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 IINVEN'TOR Fred H. Fanning ATTORNEY Aug. 3- F H. FANNING 2,326,848

SURFACE WORKING METHOD Filed t. 2, 1939 7 158 8 Sheets Sheet INVENTOR H. law/7mg ATTQRNEY Aug. 17, 1943. F. H. FANNING SURFACE WORKING METHOD 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Sept. 2, 1939 MN NMN QMN \MN w AW a w W QIN n II I fl w w IH 1 1 l w Hm 1 MIN MUM HUM HHH H T HNN NWN lwl Rm m QNNKH INVENTOR F/ea h; Fc'mmflg BY ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1943. F. H. FANNING SURFACE WORKING METHOD 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Sept. 2, 1939 INVENTOR Wed H. Fc'mm ATTORNEY I Patented Aug. 17, 1943 l 1 UNITED STATES PATENT- y 5 Y 2,326,848 i v i i L Y sunmcnwonxme ri rngn Fred H. Fanning, Pittsburgh, 2a., zass ignor to Blaw.:-Knox Company, Pittsburgh, Pa"; a cor-. relation of N w Jers r Original application September}, 1339:,I3l0. a

293,269. Divided andthis l940,-SerialNe.3 E3,604 (g C -$9 141 This application is'a division ,of my application Serial No, 293,269, filed SeptembenZ, 1939, for Improvements in surface materia'l making, and

relates particularly to methods of performing working operations on the surfaces of various" Work pieces.

-' The present invention relates" to material working operations, and more particularly to removing surface material from sides of ingots, billets, slabs, plates, and the like by an operation commonly known as";sca-lping. l

Themachine to 'be described is especially designed for removing appreciable amounts of surface metal from the sides. or opposite faces of metal slabs. Particularly in the-working'o-f aluminum and like metals and alloys, it has been found desirableto remov surface metalof irregular composition, physical 1 properties, and contour from slabs in either the as-cast condition .or the partially-worked conditionby a maohining operation. -It is with-the problem'of so removing surface metal that the embodiment of the invention here particularlydescribed-is best adaptedtoibeemployed.

. In prior scalping practice' it has been customary, in some instances, to-mount a slab to be scalped in a work holder and to traverse the work holder and slab pasta rotary, milling-type cutterJv/thich..operates on a :face of the slab exposed to the cutter as 'the .slab :is heldiin -the holder. Y u

One method of operation under the above practice has included loading the slab into the holder at the 'loadingpo'sition, traversing the holder and slab past the cutter, unloadingthe i work from the holder at-a position distant from the loadingp osition, traversingthe empty :holder backto the loading position, and thereafter re instituting the .cycle of operations, Another.

advancing the cutter into operable position,-trav-' elsing the holderand slab .pastthe cutter, re-

a p ieatipe 3193x122 A team ev eei f wei ht 19 sealping rnachine is embodied inthe form; of machine described he h'ch iiiafcliine ampute work holder comprised of 5 vvbrkisupporting uni-ts. 'i hsefivoiflf s'upp6r-t-ihg*'units' ere e1: ranged 'ene work '-.-h lder on" posite' sides thereof ;soas to beiadapted'toaltern presentation to the work p eing --ap13 arat11s and to the; cutting tool. f Ihu s --an"" loaded or-un-loaded; inveiftd "and ltfadelg' as desired, at one position wimade e e me r supportin unit. 4 r

of "time and .thus snake possible the ra id reinstitution .oi the .s'calping .or sur face' machining-.1

operation, I

:The.abovexmentionedmovelltype.oi work holder has beenassociateddnthepresent invention with a cutting tool inountedhandl-operated in ;a novel 7 manner, andwith loadin Yunloading,"imzentinjg, I :andconvemngmeans ofnoyehc(instruction-foruse adjacent one .Work supporting position};

, By comparison of ltheimethodand machine de-. 1' f V scribed hereinafter with ,the above;;mentioned I methods and apparatus, several objectsandradvantages cambe-readilyappreciated. wQ ne object tracting' the cutter out ofoperableposition, r'eturning the :holder and slab #back to the loading reinstituting the cycleof operations. either of the above described methods 'ofoperatiori the formeof the machine-andfthe method'usedhave involved considerable amounts of waste-time, in

that the cutter could not *be usef ully employed during appreciable lengths of time, jorflinstanqe,

' position there unloading theslab, andthereaiter ofsthe .presentdnvention is: the elimination of lost time in methods f surfacezmeitalworking,

especiallyras "respects vthe period: in: which the metal working-Stool is .z-remployed for; actually removing metal.

' Anothersobject .of the-invention:zisilthe ism-f l .vision .of anovell-form of Lworkholder having multiple work-supporting unitstherein. A further object .i's:;the provision .ofInovel-urneans .for

securing-rigidity of hol er, Another object is the provision of simple-meaiis tor deliv mechanisms loery of" power to variousfrnotive a tea ei le khel e Another object the provision inf a surface, tits 1 metal Working revi we f r carrying ti v dcm th e fie reeenn "loading, unloadingl inverting; and discharging meet or slab ma bedetail; a-portion :of .the

slabs at one position relative to the work supporting units. Another object of the invention is improved slab handling means in association with a multiple unit work holder.

A further object is the provision of improved -work positioning mechanisms associated with each work supporting unit operable in association with the workloading apparatus arranged to set a slab into a Work supporting unit of a work holder.

Another object is the provision of multiple unit work holder adapted to support work pieces for simultaneous presentation to cutting position and to leading and unloading position or positions.

A further object is theprovision of novel means for supporting, advancing-and traversing inventionfwill become apparent upon reading the accompanying descriptionof the preferred form V ofthe invention in connection with the drawings, .The objects particularly, set forth are to eralpurposes of the invention described, either singly or in combination, and for the attainment of. the claimed methods.

In the. drawings:

L Fig. .1 is; a plan. view of a preferred form of 1 slab or ingot scalping machine showing the work ,rnanipulator, thework holder and frame there for with slabs located therein, the chip conveyor, and .thexcutting mechanism (the work manipulating mechanism being partially re moved inthisfigure);

mFigr 2 is a frontelevation of the .machine shown in Figrlshowing thegeneral; arrange-. ment of the :"parts with a slab shown therein (therwork manipulating mechanism .beingremoved) Fig. 3. is an end elevation of the shown inFigs. l and Z'With-slabs shown therein and showing alsothe work manipulating mechanism and work holder in side elevation;

: zFig. 4 isan enlarged side elevation of thework show the general arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the invention which may be said to be comprised of a work manipulator 1 adapted to function also as part of a conveying-means for delivering slabs or ingots to or from the apparatus, a main frame 2, a rotatable work holder-3 comprised of two work supporting units 4 in which the slabs may be clamped and held for surface machining, a carriage bed 5, a movable cutter carriage l, a cutter head 8 incorporating a cutter 9 which is adapted to be traversed past a slab for removal of surface metal, and a chip conveyor 10 (only partially shown in the .drawings).. forf disposal of scalpings or chips rebeconsidered as intended to express the genmoved by the cutter, the latter having no direct bearing on thenovel mode of operation of the machine.

- Referencenumerals [2 indicate slabs or ingots located in the supporting units 4 (and shown dotted in process of being inverted in Fig. 4)

and it will be noted by reference to Figs, 1 and {that two slabs I2 may be located in holder; 3;

atone time, one on thecutter side of .the holder and one on the manipulator side of the holder. As will be described later in detail, the holder 3 is rotatable about its vertical central axis so that a slab loaded into one supporting unit 4 may be presented to the -cutter 9 by rotation of the holder, and so that a scalped or machined slab may be re-presented to the manipulator l, either to be discharged if then'finished on-both sides, or to be reversed when desired andreloaded into the holder if a side has yet to be finished, or

first pass through the machine. j ,5

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the manipulator I and the holder} are mounted in fixed .positionsrelative to the cutter head,.8 which latter,' on its carriage 1, is traversable over its bed 6 :past the work held in a work sup.- portingunit presented thereto. ;:This arrangement, ratherthan a reciprocatory. mounting of the holder 3, is preferable becausenitpermits greater rigidity in the mounting. oith'e holder refinished in case of insufiicient scalping on its than would be.,obtained if-- it ..were .movably mounted; and a .single'fixed location of the manipulating mechanismwith a slab shown in .a portioncf the work .holder and showingin more detail that mechanism as'shown partially in. Fig..3; i;

5 is an enlarged: composite front elevation and section of the work holder showing in more detail oneiof'the work supporting units as viewed in: g. 2, but without a slab located therein;

1 Fig. 6 is a composite side elevation and section of the work holder to the same scale as Fig; 5' Q with slabs shown'therein and showing .in more apparatus. shown .in

- '7 is an enlarged rear view, partly sec.- tioned,-of the'cutter head carriage and cutter drive mechanism and 1 {Fig t} is a sectionthrough the cutter head mechanism and carriage therefor ,to the ;-same ,scale as Fig. land taken on the line VlII VIII of Fig; 7, this view being a section similar to the end elevation shown in Fig. 3.

s eming to. e Ia n al ss- .1; 2;; m3

limited to'this arrangement.

manipulator, is desirable to simplify and expedite the handling'of slabs. I This arrangement-also makes possible theuse of a novel means for advancing, retracting, and traversing the cutter head 8, but the invention is not to be considered Workmaflipulator i Fig. 4 may now be considered in connection with Figskl, 2, ,and ,3 for .a description of the slab or ingot manipulator I'. The manipulator-l. servesthe functions of. horizontally delivering a slab toward or away from a supporting unitfl, vertically placing a slab. into :or removing it from a supporting unit, 4', and. inverting a slab .iwhen desired. I g, IniFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 a .slabflo r slabs I2 are shown-in full-line, presented to a supportingunit or unitsfl; Also in Fig. 4..a position of.a slab 12 is illustrated in dotted lines atwhich it is in the process .of-being inverted bymechanismrincluded-inthedmanipulator l. Referring now particularly to Fig e, the manipulator] is comprised of a roller table I5 the upper surface of;.whi'ch is normally comprised of a plurality of rollers I6 and i1. Rollers I6 are supported pivoted work I 2,532fzh8d8 ably mounted on shaft 51 Supported in bearings,

in pivoted manipulator frame 46. Thecomposite rqllertable with frame 46, is ,hingedly mounted on a shaft [8 located in suitable bearings in a fixed manipulator basels atone end and is movably supportedat approximately its center bymeans of a connecting linkage asso ciated with a pressure cylinder ,22. The above described mounting of roller table I 5 is such that it normally plane upper surface maybe slightly inclined either toward or 'away from the holder 3,

as indicated by dottedpositions of end rollers 16 I in Fig. 4, through the operation of pressure. cylinder 22; whereby to cause aislabtrestingon-the; table to move .by gravity either toward or away from the holder 3. Y

Also associated with,- and interleavedlongitudinally between'inverting arms 43 and pivoted to fixed base l9 adjacent one end of manipulator l on shaft 26 tel-which theyiare,

secured, the loading arms 25, bearing a plurality of work-engaging rollers identified by reference numerals 21, 23,, 29, and 39,,presenting an out-. wardly convex work-engagingsurface; the W'OI'k':

yond the longitudinal axis of the loading arms 25 a slight distance greaterthando the rollers 27,29,

and 35. The loadingarms 253 are adapted to be moved from a substantially horizontal-position below the surface of rollervtable' i5, shown dotted forming part of,,.themanipulator l as presently described are a plurality of spaced, parallel work loading arms 25 during the aligning operation.

The loadin arms ers necessarily returned to the horizontal position to permit rotation of the holder, 3, as will .be furthergenlargedupon, and

then the arms 25 may againibebrought to the vertical position and thefingers .36 actuated into supporting position ,-iwhereupon the arms 25 may be returned again to horizontal position to re-.

move afin-i'shed or semi-finished slab from the] work holders. After a slab-hasbeenreturned to, the roller-table lias abovedescribed itmust,then j j beinvertedso that the unfinishedsurface thereof reloaded for-operation of 1 P may be exposed when the cutting 15001.1,

For. inverting slabs the aforementioned roller table-i5 is constructed-with pivoted inverting; armsiu ifigandfl, in; which the rollers, it are; 1'

mounted, and the centrally located series of rolleI'S'IIII- over 'whicn the end of the ingot or slab engaging rollers 28, vit will be noted, project. be-

42 may rock: as itisinverted by motionof the:- arms iisand tiiito and from the inclined dotted positions showninFigA. 5

fl'IjIl invertingvlarnis '42 and Air are secured to shaftsa ifi, and :45, respectively, m'ountedin the pivotedirameportion 45 of the roller:.tablei5,

previously;identifiedi aspivoted on shaft; in

fixed .base near the manipulatori. Means for causing vi'i otation of 'ar-n'1s1 .42 ifrorriihe horizontalin Fig. i, to agsubstantially vertical position,.. shown in full line in Fig, 4, and to be returned.

through the operation of a connecting linkageand,

a pressure cylinder 34. l

When a slab l2 resting horizontally on roller table I5 is to be placed into .awork supporting unit 4,.the work loading; arms/-25 occupy the horizontal position, with the rollersZ'l,v 28, 29;and 30 forming asurface substantially parallel to the interleaved surface formed by, rollers lfi'carried Y by arms 43. The slab l2 assumes apositionzover j loading arms 25 'bygravity Vrnovement over, the previously or then tiltedroller table l5,'its move ment m the direction ofthe supporting. unit 4' being arrested by a plurality of work supporting" fingers mounted-onloading arms 25,, the fingers then being held-in a position substantially at,

right angles to the longitudinal aXesIof larms 25 by means ,of a connecting linkage and pressure cylinder' ifi (shown in Fig. 6) associated therewith. It ispointed outthatfingers 35 in'the dotted horizontal position of arms 25, ,showniin Fig. 4, are retractedland not in the perpendicular position described; their position relative tov arms 25 is shown in the full line position of armsshaft 45,;

will be v [ratio between segments '54 and 55.- is1su'ch that to a 'pos'itionlless than'JVertiGaLandfQr simul c taneously causingrotation of arms 53 to alposi tion slightly beyond vertical. is provided inthel form of apressurecylinder i'imou'nted onitrun-ilnions 48 in suitable bearings in'pivoted frame 46 of -manipulator I and the connecting linkage; therefor. Apist'on r'od fi'fi from pressure cylinder if! connects. to a lever isii extending from shaft Hand secured thereto, to which inverting arms: ikare securedthislinkage being adapted to impart arotary'motioh tonshaftfiii. iAlrotary monoted 'infthe drawings, the gear segment 55,;ztn-d thereby shaft 45., hasia reater 2,5.- Thus a slab. IE- resting on a portionvof'r'oller f table 15 and abutting: against fingers 36 may be lifted byloading :arms zfil'and-tilt'ed intovertical position then deposited on gripping inserts; 15 of bottom jaw members, 81] in asupporting unit 4,, as will'be hereinafter described. The fingers 36 are mounted onvthrough shaft.3i commonto all arms 25. In the:erect positi0n10flarms'25, the extended fingers 36 preferably support a slab l-z, slightlyabove lower jaw insertsx'fli.

slahhas been properly aligned as hereinafter described, thefingers 36 may be retracted with respect toarms 25 by means'of pressure-cylinder 40 and itsconnectinglinkage sothat slab? [2 1s loweredinto grippingposition and the= arms 25 After the Y 1 folded, whereupon the slab may be caused to ap- 5:

may then be returned tohcr-izontalwpo'sition without interference by, the positioned slab 12 with fingers; 36, i. e. so ,thatrfingers361will clear the increment ofxangul'ar movementufor each' increment of "angularitmovement of shaft id, the I cranks 5i and 53being of the same length; Thus the armed? on shaft 4 5 will be. rotated through 11 ,7 a greater angle'than wil1 arms'42 gon shaft 44; 5: both being actuated; hy the cornmon'operating means comprised of pressure cylinder 4'! and the connecting linkages associated therewith- The arrangement of ai'rns'dland 43am the actuat ing mechanism therefore is provided so that a slab'ilocated i-in substantiallyhoriaontalcposition,- v near thework holderBmay'beturned up, beyond over-center by 'arms and ailowedto .return to 7 horizontal position witharms 42 and thusbe inverted as arr'ns'jd? and 43 are folded up and unpreach holder 3 and :again: be loaded into a :sup-

porting :unit .11, by :means of loading armsjfliin. e areversedposition; Asaforementione'd, theirolla outermost lower edge of-slab [2. -The suplnorih I ing surfaces of fingers -36; arepreferably sm'ooth so as .to facilitate easy, sliding of slab-litthereon ers ll serveas an abutment over which the slab tion of a slab iiin a work supportingunit 4.

l2 rto'be' inverted may be rocked. They'are preferably freely mounted on a through shaft-51 mountedin bearing members 58 in pivoted frame 46, The lower position of inverting arms 42 and 43 with reference r toframe 46 is preferably fixed by means of abutments 6Q on'frame 46 adaptedand 43 through proiec-- to supportthe arms 42 tions 6! thereon. l U

As aforementioned, the whole roller. table with frame 46 is movable for slight inclination ineither direction aboutshaft l8 through the 'medium' of pressure cylinder 2Z2. Thiscylinden 22 ismounted on trunnions located in suitable bearing members in the fixed base 19,- Apiston rod 2| actuated by pressure cylinder 22 is operable to cause the movement of roller table 15 and frame 45 through the mediumof a suitable universal coupling 23 and a cushion 24, prefer- 4 ably of rubber or the like for absorbing shocks Thus the elevation :of thelcenter of table I5 is.

established by the position of-the piston in cylinder 22. It is then preferable and desirable that the piston be approximately at-the' centerof its" travel when table I5 is horizontal.

- The loadingarms 25 are mounted :for motion from horizontal to vertical position preferablyby being secured to shaftlfi, to which motive forces are applied by means of pressure cylinder 34 mounted on trunnions' 35' inwsuitable bearing members located onfixed base [9; -.The.piston'of pressure cylinder 34act's on a piston'rod 33 engaging a bracket 32 on an arm 25 and is'adapted to cause movement of all the work loading arms Zi'through the arm which ca-rriesbracket 32 and the, shaft 26 to'which the arm 25 are secured.

. For actuating the fingers. 36 there is provided a double-acting pressure cylinder 40 (see also yc-ke secured to the shaft 26. The pressure 'oylinder-tfl actuatesthe various fingers 38. through themedium of piston rod 38,. crank-3'1, and

.throughshaft 3i 'to'which crank 31 is secured.

shaftili .to which they are secured, the shaft ill being journalled iirarms 25.

.The limiting position of arms25. when moved so that their longitudinal aii'esare substantialy vertical is preferably controlled-by means of two adjustable stop pins 35' adapted to abut against dogs tifi keye'd to shaft 26 at oppositeends thereof (Fig. i showsone set of such stop pins and dogs 33) The stop pins 65 are preferably commonly actuated for adjustable predeterminedposition by means of. a hand wheel G'I'on a shaft 68 carrying worms adapted to'turn suitable externally toothed. nuts 64 to. drive the screw threaded stoppins .BStoa predetermined posi-.

tion. Dials t9 areprovided on the opposite ends of nuts Mew-hereby the setting of stop pins 651 er surface of the slab, since the arms ztwiu have a location predetermined by the setting of stoppins 65. As will appear, the location of the outer surface of slab 12 by the positionof arms 25 predetermines the amount of material to 'besurfac e'machined'from slab 'IZQ Each worksupporting unit 4 to either of which a slab l2 is presented by the loading arms 25 0f the manipulator l is comp'rised'of mechanism located generally on one side of a central plane through the axis of rotation of the holder 3; Each unit 4 .(see Figs; 5- and 6) includes four gripping .jaws 19in fixed jbottom jaw members integralWitlrthe body or-housing of holder 3,

four gripping jaws 19 in movable top jawmembers 8| (any two or more upper andlower-pairs of which jaws may be selectively employed),

,rollers 28 and slab l2 asthe slabis being located and aligned by motorized screws 80, as will be described. The spring bumpers 15,.being yield-I Fig. 16) mounted on trunnions 4!. bearing. in a Thus the fingers" 35 are moved with through pressure cylinders 32 for-operating each of the top jaw members 8!, two spring bumpers 75 for cushioning the slab 12 as it isplaced'into-a supporting unit 4; and six motorized alignment screws 90 located in the body of holder 3 a slab placed in a supporting unit 4, the alignment screws 90 being disposed with reference 'to slab l2 in spaced relation opposite the loading arms 25'as they assume their substantially vertical position. r, a

. As aslab is brought from" the'roller table I5 by the loading arms 25 into a supporting unit 4, it engages the two aforementioned horizontally projecting spring bumpers 15; The spring bumpers serve to retainengagement between able, 'clonot interfere with thealignment of the slab I2 by the screws 99 and they also serve the additional useful function of tending to eject thelslab .22. when the top jail/$ 81 are released after completion of a machining operation and a when load ng arms-25 are in'read'in'ess' to unload Thebumpers 15 comprise acylindricarhousing 16 secured-in the body o f'hclder 3, a'sleeve 11 shouldered at its inner end, a coiled compression spring 15, arida bearingbutton to which reference numerallS is directed, the spring acting betweenl1ousing.il5:and the bearing button portion of bumpers 75, which latter is screwed into sleeve 11.

In order to align'thelslab l2 after it has been presented to 'theholder- 3 and while it isbeing supported on fingers 36, the plurality of horizo'ntal alignment screwsto may be motor ac-" tuatedwith their outer endsin a common vertical plane to position against the inner face of slab |2,,pre'ssure aligningit in cooperation with rollers 28 on arms 25 and thus :both predetermining the may vber'caiibrated,for ready predeterminatiom- The two sets of stop. pins and'dogs 66 are provided for operation .on. either end of shaft 26 1 for a'ccuracyin locating the upper position ofarms .25 and to 'minimize-variation in location vof arms possible through.itorsionaifstrain of shaft 28, so that these armsc'i5 mayform a vlo+ catingsurface adapted to predetermine the posi- Work supporting units A I2 is placed in a work supporting unit 4 of work holder 3 by means of the work loading arms '25, the projecting rollers 28 being adapted to predetermine.theoutward locatlonof the outdepth of material to be removed bythe cutter the expedient of removable pressure buttons 9| is preferably resorted to, thus any of the six screws may be made operable by the sliding' insertion of buttons 9| 'on selected screws 90,-preferably on three of. :them; -mo re;ofthe' screws may be em'- and coop eratively arranged to locate, align, and back up the cutting position.

2,326,848 ployed if desired, andthose selected will be tiidse Y best adapted to accommodate the particular size of slabI2 to be worked on. l we I r In cases where the work or slabs I2 have regular depressions or projectionsjbuttons 9! of different axial length may be inserted in screws 98, or the screws 98 may be located in gears 'o' in different axialposition relative to one another.

However, asdescribed here, buttons 9| will normally restin a common vertical plane movable against the inner faceof the work. The screws 90 for each individual supporting unit 4 are actuated by means of electric motors 82 mounted in holder 3, through drive shafts 83, bevel: gearings 94, and a train of gears 95 journalled in holderi3. In the outer six of the cluster, of .l

gears'95 the screws 90 are threadedly supported held at one end in the bodyof holder 3 to prevent rotation of the screws within the internally threaded gears 95. r Y

Motors 92 are preferably of the type known as torque motors, which maybe energized to drive screws 98 against the back face of slab IEwith a predetermined force until the; motors-t2 are stalled. It is desirable that motors 52 be capable of. being stalled under full load so thatthe desired backing up pressure against the back face of slab 12 may be exerted through alignment screws 98, prior to clamping of slab I2 byengagement of the opposed gripping jaws through inserts 15L Suitable time relays not shown in the drawings are preferably provided for automatically cutting off thecurrent to eachmotor 92 when it has beenstalled for a'predetermined length of time. It will be apparent thatthe pitch and thread of the screwsfiil in the" internally j threaded portions of gears S5 may conveniently be such that the screws are self-locking and will not'tend to be driven back by back pressure of the slab, if such there be, when a motor 9 2 has been electrically disconnected. g r e For convenience and universal "automatic use it is desirable that motors 92 be adapted to drive screws 90 back away from work-engaging position after the slab is removed from a supporting unit 4 and before a new slab is repositioned. Suitable well known mechanical and elctricalmeans may be employed for efiecting the automatic retraction of the screws 90 in the described manner;

It will appear from theabove'description that arms and screw Silfwhicliare adapted to be driven in a common planealign and locate slab l2 with its inner face in proper vertical position for a machining or cutting operation on its outer face, whereupon'it is desirable to firmly grip the slab I2 to permit retraction of the loading'arms 25 and so that the slab I2 will be firmly held in holder 3 when the same is rotated into in Figs. '5' and 6 the aforementioned bottom jaw members 88' are shown integral with the giving additional rigidity tothe holder 3' at its "upper portion and for holding it down on wedges body of work holder 3 and are provided with suitable gripping jaw inserts 19. The movable top jaw members 8i are slidably supported on T- s haped guides 83-below flange 88 of holder '3, the

jaw members I being thereby'secured to the After a body -oi 'holdertand provided with' likesuitable gripping-"inserts 19. j 'The .jawfi members 8I are each individually actuated by pressurelcylinders 82 through piston rods 85, the cylinders 82 being suitably supported on flange 84 integral with the body oftheholder'ii. a In this embodiment ofthe invention the cylin ders 82 are double acting oil cylinders supplied with oil pressure fro'mpump BE, driven by motor Bl, jaws 8i in'each unit 4 beingcontrolled byone of twoelectrically operated piston valves 88 associated-therewith. "Iheoilijreservoir for the 7 cylinders '82is provided inacha'mber 89 within the holder Si This arrangementprovides 'a' self contained-system within the rotatable holder 3',

electrically and hydraulically controlled, and hyi drauli'cally independentj'of fixed ,frame;-2,- for operating the clampingmechanism of each supportingunit 4 and insuring that even gripping and positive withdrawing forces-are exerted'by; each of the jaw members 8|.

y g Woric holder g I supporting unit the slab located and gripped by the mechanism-above described, and the loading arms 25 returned to horizontal position, the

workholder 3 must be rotated 180 to present that slab I2 to 5 the cutt er"9ia'nd to return a previously machined slab" I2 to the loading and unloading position. The holder 3' is mounted in mainframe 2 for rotation on a'thrust bearing N35. The thrust bearing I rests in a yoke I96 suspended from main frame '2 on piston rods I8? connecting to pistons :in "cylinders I88 se cui' edfto "the brackete'djupper portion of main frame 2 The yoke liltc'a'rries a suitable-lower 7 bearing race l88, and the shouldered main shaft II 8 of holder 3' bears a cooperating upper bearing race ll I adapted to .ride on balls I'IZheld between therac'es III"and I09. -The shouldered movement in sleeve hearing- I I4 held in the main frame 2 abovethe'yo-ke Iilfiand shaft II 0 supports the holder 3 includingthe mechanism car- I 'ried thereby on its downwardly extending portion to which it is'fitted and held by key IT. V The holderfl is rotatable and vertically slidable at itslower-portion'on a stubpivot shaft I I5 located in the bottom portion'ofmain frame '2- and" carries within its body a sleeve bearing "I'hus vertical and axial alignment of the holder is provided through the medium of journal bearings I Illfand H8 and shafts H8 and II5. Forjsecuring' the holder 3 against rotation during themachining operation; it is arranged to re'st on-interer'igaging portions comprising two inverted Vshaped wedges I28 mounted on main frame 2 and located on either sideof stubpivo't shaft ilfi and'suitable cooperative inverted V- shaped bearing seats I2'I provided in' holder 3 These wedgesand bearing seats I28 and I2I, re-' spectively, since they interlockingly bear the weight of theholder 3; serve'to prevent rotation of the holder S -and give it rigidity at itslower portion until the same is lifted for tur'ning For I 2:! mounted in the slab I2 has been loaded into a work of tapereddow'el pins I26 i slidable ;in-ibiearings I21 b'racketedto'the side portions of. mainframe 2 and arranged so that the'dowel pins I26'enter recessed apertures I28 in the flange-84' of holder 3.? Cylinders I24 'aresuitably pressure ,:operated to drive the dowel pins I26 intothe apertures I28 above mentioned (see Fig. the taper permitting pressure to-be transmittedidownwardly to wedges I and serving-to'increase the rigidity of the apparatus. I i' ii I *When it is desired to releaseftheholder 3 for rotation to reverse the relativepositions of the supporting units"4,the tapered dowel pins I26 may be withdrawnby. means'of the aforedee scribed pressure cylinders 'I24and piston rods I25,.-but theemployment of the V -shaped wedges I20 requires that, the holder 3 be lifted so that the-bottom portion and'bearing seats I2I thereof will clear the wedges I20; and it is forthis purpose that'the holder 3 is hung from'the main frame 2 by means of the aforementioned piston rods I01 actuated by pressure cylinders I08.

Thus to permit turning of the holder 3 the cy1inders I08'are actuated, after dowelpins I26 have been raised, to lift theyoke I06 by means of piston rods I01, the yoke'I06 lifting the holder 3 through thrust bearing, I05 and shouldered mainshaft I I0.

When the work holder hasbeen thusraised so that its bottom portion clears wedges I20, it

may, then be actuated for rotation. To impart a turning motion to the work holder, there is providedjapressure cylinder I30 (see Figs. land 5), apiston rod I3I pinned to a slidablegcrosshead I32, a link I33, a crank I34, a spring held latch memberl35, ashaftI36, a gear I31, and

a pinion I38 mounted on .main shaft' IIO. Through the aforementioned mechanical linkage the piston rod I3I may be actuated by cylinder I30 to push on crank I 34 for turning holder 3. a

The ratchet toothed portion of crank I34 is then adaptedtoacause rotary movement of the corresponding latching member I35 held by the spring I39 and keyed to shaft I36 to impart to shaft I36 a rotary movement; Thus shaft I36 through gear I31 and pinion I38wil1 impart rotary movement to the holder 3. Piston rod I3I' may be quickly moved a suificient distance to give turning movement to holder ,3, and then it 7 .may be withdrawn,.the slippage between crank I34 andlatching member I35 permitting free rotary movement of holder 3 in the proper turning direction; or the piston rod I3-I and linkage associated therewith maybe arranged to follow the rotation of holder 3 through its full 180"v movement. V r

v 'Fc-rstopping holder 3 and preliminarily locating it. two horizontal latches I40 are located in the mainframe 2 on either side of the holder adjacent the apertures I28 for the tapered dowel pins I26. These latches I40 have blunt Y-shaped ends,verticallydisposed and adapted to engage vertically disposed V-shaped recesses in the flanged-portion 84 ofholder 3, and they are each spring-held against flange 84 on the recesses by two'springs I-II adjustably preloaded by means of screws I42 (Fig.' 2). that they force imparted by cylinder, I30 is sumcient to oyercome their holding power against r0- tary movement, and such that the coasting or final rotary motion of the holder 3 may be arrested thereby; Thus the holder 3 may be stopped on the approach of recessed portions in flange vM t thelatches I40, V -When the holder 3 has been turned through an The latches I40 are such tangle of l80-andfst0ppe1iby'the latches I40, it

cylinder I30 for causing, rotation of the holder,

permits return movement of the pistonirod I3I without effect upon": the work holder'andlplaces both in condition for the next 180 rotary movement. l

When the holder is raised and rotated the work or slabs I2 .pass over the inverted V-shaped wedgesIZQ. In order to protect the surfaces of the wedgesfI20 from scalpings and chips which might fall onto them during the rotary movement of the holder 3, covers I45 forthe wedges I20 have been provided which are adapted to automaticallyslipover the wedges I20 when theholder is lifted and to be automatically retracted. from the wedges when the holder is returned to rest on the wedges. Mechanism for protectin each wedge I20 comprises a coverI45 actuated through a link I46 by a bell crank I41, the other end of which bell crank I41 is adapted to be e gaged through a roller by an integral tripper I46 on the bottom portion of the holder 3 (Fig. 5).. The bell crank I41 is held against tripper I48 by means of a coil spring I49 attacheda't one portion to the main frame 2 and at its other end to an extending dog I50 secured to the bellcrank' pivot shaft I5I in a bracket from frame 2. It will be seen that downwardmovement of the holder 3 will press bell crank I41 and withdraw the cover I45 from the wedge I20. Likewise upward movement of theholder 3 will permit spring I49 to pull bell crank I41 to oscillate the same on shaft I 5| to replace cover I45 overwedge I20.

A collector ringassembly, identified generally by reference numeral 'I is mounted for turning movement on the upper portion of main shaft I III.

self-contained, unitary, mechanism.

Aibase I56.,for the collector unit-( I55 is shown supported within sleeve hearing I I4 on shaft H0,

and slidable with shaft I I0 for vertical movement of holder .3 on vertical pins I51 secured in the upper portion of main frame 2, the pins I51 passing through suitable bosses on base I56 also serving to prevent rotationof base ,I56with holder 3. From'the' upper portion of base I56 a-cover plate I59 is preferably supported on four rods I59.

-The collector rings I60 are grouped on a central shaft I6! .rotatably supported between base plate I56 and coverplat I58and are electrically insulated from shaft IGI and from each other. The shaft I6I carries a thrust collar I62 adapted to seat on a recessed aperture of base I50. An extending portion of shaft I6I is keyed into a turning plate I64 secured as by bolts to the top of shaft IIO. Shaft IIO isjprovided with a hollow central bore I65 through which individual leads I06 are brought from collector rings I60 to the holder 3. Brushes I61 (one of which is shown in Fig. 6) may be conveniently. mounted on rods I59 supported on base I56 for making electrical contact with rings [6%. Suitable conductors'tapped into leads I56 and connected tothe alignment screw meters 8;; the pump motor 3'! andzthe electrically'operatedvalves 88 are adapted to electrically control the work aligning and. clam ing mechanisms.

' Cutter carriage V After a slab l2 has been loaded into work holder 3, the holder rotated to bring the slab; in a supporting. unit 4, around toa position adjacent the cutter 9, and the holder loweredonto wedges I28 and secured bythe dowel pins I26, the slab is ready for a surfacemachining operation to be effected by cutter, 9."

' 7 Reference is now made to Figs. 7 and 8 particular and also to Figs; '1, 2, and 3. ,In these figures the cutter 9 comprises a plurality. of

cutting tools (not shown in detail) peripherally' mounted in cutter'head 8. Cutter head 8 is secured to spindle Ila by a suitable threaded and keyed connection at Ill, the'spindle'l'lil being supported on cutter carriage l by means of two sets of roller bearings H2 and H3. These. bearings l'lZYand H3 incorporate tapered rollers H4 held in suitable bearing races. 7

The spindle H is secured'agai-nst axial, movement with reference tocarriag e 1 by means of the" aforementioned roller bearing .112, theexternal races of which are secured in bearingmem- "her [96 secured tocarriagel bearing H3 in bearing member [91 is of the floating typefo-r expansion of spindle llli; The spindle Hi1 is particularly'secured at bearing l'li'by means of a keyed spanner nut 192 engaging a threaded split nut I93 in spindle Hi1 and acting against a ring 99 lsurroundedby a sealing member L55, lwhich latter sealing member [95 retained by a recessed retainer ring lllfisecured tobearirig member is?! as by bolts. The thrust bearing arrangement provided is to prevent, axial play of spindle H3 which would resultgin tool chatter 'marks on the surface of ingot 1'2- Cooling and lubricating oil for cutting, too forming cutter Sis supplied from reservoir M5 by means'of suitable pipe lines llfi,'oilfpurnp I'Tl, flexible line H8, andan internalconduit [T9 axially mounted in spindle flit which rotates thereabout on suitable bearings 233', the conduit leading toan oil distributingjorifice. tilt at the returning the. cutter attdifierent' lengths of. travel to suit a variey of slab lenghs'iwhich may be inthe form of limitgswitches 238 'mounted on bed '5 and actuated by a cam .249 secured to the. subbase 191". This provision increases-the capacity of tension in V -belts IE1 maybe presetai ds'lack in the belts eliminated. 7 p

The carriage T rests on ways 2H and-Zia of a sub-base I33, and has limited movement with respect thereto in a directionparallel to: the spindle from an advanced cutting position to a retracted position. Sub-base IB'Lin turn, rests onways 2l5 and-2l ii of carriage. foundation bed '8 perpendicular to the spindle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the work holder 3, and is movable thereon to carry or traverse the cutter'past the work and return. The length of this motion may be fixed suitable to the longest slabs to be scalped,

but it is preferred to provide several selectable crank linkage to be described.

the machine considerably a wide variation. in slab lengthsprevails, by reducing; the time for theltool to traversethe work holder 3 when scalpslabs of less than maximum. length.

- The above mentioned motionsare. imparted a to the carriage l'and subbase l9? by'a hydraulic cylinder 209 and cooperating elements hereinafter to'be described in detail. Oil to ways 215 and Zl-fi' is supplied from reservoir 2M (Fig.8) I

through piping 2.92,. pump 263,. and suitable oil lines (not shown). Thepurnp 233 is driven by an electric motor Elthrough: suitable gearing 2% and coupling 2%. The. electric motor 204 and pump 2533 aremounted on sub-base I91 adjacent to the aforementioned pump IT! and motor i82 for delivering coolant. oil to the cut.- ter 9. V The aforementioned coolant oil reservoir H5 is suitably locatedon the bed ofthe machine 1 or on the floor, and the line I16 i'sadapted to'be traversed over-the reservoir duringthe move-' ment of the cuttercarria'ge 1. Likewise the line 232 entering oil reservoir 2&1. is adapted to'be traversed with the carriage -1, the reservoir 20! being. mounted adjacent reservoir on the cutter bed 5. A lubricating oil reservoir 2"} is located within carriage "1'; oil from: which maybe circulated to bearings and other parts bymeansof pump' 2i! (see FigL DTdri en by motor 212' v through suitable gears and a coupling 2M.-

Since the cutter 9 rnustbe returned across the face of :slao l2 after the surface machining operation, it'is' desirable that itbe retracted. before the return movementof the carriage 1, and that it be advanc'ed'to a preset position prior to the forward'movement of the carriage l1 The feeding cylinder 25!!! acting on piston rod- 201 is adapted to effect-automatic advancing, travers-,

ing, retracting, and returning of the cutter head 8 and carriage T bymean'sof a' composite bell The carriage bed 6 has formed thereon the aforementioned longitudinally extending ways 1 H5 arid 2E3 provided with suitable liners. The way 2E5 is an inverted V-shaped way for lending lateral rigidity to the sub-i-base i9] and the way 2 i5 is substantiallyiiatf The sub-base l9? ofthe cutter carriage is adaptedto have longitudinal' movement oncarriage bed 6 overthe ways M5 and 225. in other words. the cutter carriage on 'sub-base lsl'isadapted to have its traversing and return movements over cutter bed 6 in aclirectic-n past the'work to feed or return the cutterS. This longitudinal movement of sub-base lfi 'l'is imparted by feeding cylinder 2% through piston rod 25'! in a manner which will be described in 'detail'hereinafter The sub-base it? carries two laterally extending ways 25! and ZiB-[onits upper portion for slidably supporting the cutter :carriage 'l., The way 2-5! is merely liat and the way Hills inverted vashaped gway for lending longitudinal rigidity to carriage "5, both ways carrying suitable At the cutter head'end of sub-base-El'l liners. there is secured}; stop 2E9 adapted to limit the outward movement of cutter carriage l ori'the ways. 2!? and 2H3 of sub-base I97.) 7

The carriage l is adapted to have lateral movement over: it sub-base !91 on the ways 2|! and 218, and isadapt'ed-to have its axial" advancing means for automatically-stopping retracting" and movement limited through the engagement of an integral wedge 22!! with-the stop 2I9 carried on sub-base I91. A suitable stopnut 231 (Fig. 7) is associated with the piston rod 201 and extension rod 235 for limiting'the retracting movement of carriage I over sub-base I9'I as will be described.

As will be seen, movements'in two perpendicular directions must'beimparted' to the carriage l and cutter head 8. These movements are efifectuated through sub-base I91 movable longitudinal- -ly'relative to bed 6 and cutter carriage I movable laterally relative to sub-base I91 by means "of piston rod 261, slidably connected to a crank 225 (Figs. 1, 7, and 8) securedto a shaft 225 journailed in sub-base IBL- The turning movement imparted to shaft 223 is carried therethrough to a crank 22'! above sub-base I97, the crank 22! being suitably secured to. the shaft 226. Crank 225, shaft 225, and crank 22! maybe termed a composite bell crank. A connecting link 228 is pinned to the end of crank 221 and at its opposite extremity is pinned to cutter carriage at 229. w

The connection between piston rod 23'! and crank 225 comprises (see Figs. 1, '7, and 8) a cross head including a sleeve 230 fitted over a portion ofrod carrying bosses 23!, on which arefitted suitable rectangular bearing members 232 slidable in the end of crank 225. This construction is provided so that pistonrod 291 will not be moved out of line by its action on crank For maintaining alignment of piston "rod 263?, there is provided beyond its point of engagement with crank'225 an-extending portion235, which is suitably guided in a bearing portion 236 of sub-base I91 and carries at its extremity adiustably positioned nuts 23! adapted to be set to determine the retractive travel of carriage I with reference to sub-base IB 'I, since it will appear that pulling of piston rod 207 will turn crank 225 only until nut 23! engages the bearing-portion 236. Thereafter the piston rod 201 will pull the sub-base I81 directly without further lateral movementof carriage I. The advancing movement of carriage I could be controlled by means Mention has been made of selective means for predetermining the stroke ofjcylinder 209 as by limit switches 239,;and of provision for advancing the cutter at a suitable cutting rate and returning it at a suitable faster rate. It will be understood, of course, that any preferred type of electrical andhydraulic equipment may be used for this purpose, such equipment being well known and requiring no elaboration.

i Operation The preferred cycle of operations with which the presently described embodiment of the invention is employed is as follows: A slab I2 ma be brought to the manipulator I in'horizontal position by means of a suitable conveyor longitudinally extending back of manipulator l and interleaved therewith if desired, or the slab !2 may be deposited uponthe roller table 15 of manipulator I by a suitable crane and tongs or other means. Assuming that the slab: will be at rest on In the prethe rollers IS on the inverting arms 42, it may be causedto sli'de" over to the rollers It on the inverting arms 43 by inclining the table by means of the pressure cylinder '22 acting on the pivoted frame 46. The slab will roll then toward the loading arms 25 and will come to rest against the fingers 36, the arms 25.then being in substantially horizontal position shown dotted in Fig. 4, but with fingers 36 perpendicular.- The arms 25 will then be rotated through approximately to-carry slab I2 from a horizontal position to avertical position where it will'be supported on fingers 38.

The upward position of loading arms 25 will have been predetermined by a setting of stop pins 55, and therefore the outermost set of projecting rollers 28will predetermine the outward positionof slab I2, against which slab I2 will be located and pressed by the outward driving movement of motorized alignment screws 90. Preferably three of these screws 93 will be provided with contacting buttons 9|, such screws being selected as will best accommodate the size of slab I2 being-located in holder 3. When screws 90 have been moved to their stalled position, the motor 92 driving the sam will come to rest under-full torque and'then will be electrically disconnected. The fingers36 will then be retracted, lowering slab I2 onto lower jaw inserts I9. Opposed upper jaw inserts I9 will then be brought into engagement through action of cylinders 82 on jaw members 8I to securely clamp slab I2 in unit 4 in aligned and indexed position at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of holder 3.

After slab I2 has been gripped in a supporting unit 4, the loading arms 25 may then be withdrawn from the face of ingot I2 and returned to substantially horizontal position interleaved with the arms 43 of manipulator I.

At this point the holder 3 will be ready to be rotated," and for this purpose the dowel pins I26 will be lifted by means of cylinders I24. Thereupon the work holder body or housing 3 will be lifted by means of cylinders I03 and th holder will be rotated by the action of cylinder I35 through gear I31 and pinion I38 on the by release of pressure on cylinders I98 so that it may rest on wedges I20.

The holder is then more securely located through the re-engagement of dowels I26 within apertures I28 in the upper flange I34 of holder 3 by the action of cylinders I24. At this position the holder issecured for the surface machining operation and the slab or ingot is ready to be scalpedor surface machined by-the cutting tool 9 in cutter head 8. Immediately upon the location of. the holder as aforementioned, the cutter head ,8 may be automatically advanced axially on carriage 1 over ways 2I'I and 2I8 by the initial movement of piston rod 201 actuated by feeding cylinder 200. When the cutter head 8 has been advanced properly and stopped by the engagement of wedge 220 with stop 2 I 9, the further movement of piston rod 201 by the action of feeding cylinder 2% will cause the cutter head 8, cutter'carriage I, and sub-base I91 to be longitudinally traversed over ways 2I5 and 2IS.

Suitable means may be provided to caus a rapid traverse approach of cutter head 8 to the slab I2 and for thereafter causing the cutter head 8 to be traversed at a workingrate as it machines a surface of the slab I2. When the cutter head 8 has passed beyond the slab I2 a upon the completion ofth e first machiningop sufficient distance for complete machining thereagainst and pulling on bearing member 235. It

is also possible to provide suitable means for eration on-the second slab I2 then being acted upon by cutter 9. Thereafter the operation of the machine may be made-continuous bythe re,- moval of slabs machined on. both sides and the further supply of unmachined slabs to the manipulator I.

It is to be noted that this cycle of operations 1 permits of loading, unloading, and inverting one slab while a second slab is being machined so that the cutter 9 may be operated'at its fullest causing the return movement of cutter head 8 and carriage 7 to be efiectuated at a rapid rate.

ing position, the holder 3 may be immediately rotated 180 as aforedescribed to present a new slab I2 to the cutter S, whereupon the cutting cycle may be reinstituted in the same manner as described for the previous slab. Prior to the Upon the return of cutter head 8 toward start- 7 spect to the first slab I2 loaded into the machine,

this slab I2 will now have been returned to .the

position adjacent manipulator I. While the sec- 0nd slab I2 is being machined by the cutter 9,

the first slab I2 may then be withdrawn from its supporting unit 4 by the raising of the loading arms 25 to the vertical position, whereuponithe lifting fingers 36 may be raised to- 'rest under the slab I2. Then the arms 25 may be returned to horizontal position carrying the slab I2 back to rest upon the rollers I6 in the inverting arms 43. At this point the slab I2 is ready to be inverted so that its second surface may then be surface machined. For inverting the slab I2 the inverting arms 42 and 43' are raised to the dotted position shown in Fig. 4, the arms 43 carrying the slab I2 up and over a vertical center position; then the arms 42 and'43 may bereturned' to horizontal position, the slab I2 following arms 42 and then resting in the position first described, except that the opposite unmachined surface then will be in contact with the roller I6 in arms 42.

At this point the cycle of operations first de scribed may be reinstituted, the slab caused to efficiency and will not have to await any. of the loading, unloading, and inverting operations but 1 maybefimmediately returned-to working operation after it has been retracted and returned to its starting position following each preceding machining operation.

The appended claim is intended to be expressive of the novel features and arrangements of parts forming the present invention, it f being understood thatv various modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment thereof here shown and described without departing from its nature or scope I v e What is claimed is: v

A method of i heet ingotsaj 'd slabs I wherein. one work piece maybe scalpedwhile one or'more otherjwork piecesmaybe unloaded, inverted, and loaded, comprising aligning and securing a work piece to present a face thereof I substantially" in a predet'ermined plane and to present an opposite fa ce thereof in" a plane spaced vfrom and parallelwiththe plane ofa.

working tool, rotating'th'e work piece about an external axis to bring the first mentioned face-a.) thereof into, substantial coincidence with the working plane of the working tool, effecting rela- 3 I tive movement between the working tool andthe first mentioned-face ofthe work piece while 2* simultaneously aligning and 1 securingianother work piece in manner similar to the first, rotating both work pieces;v about the same axis to bring'the second into' working f position and to return the first to the aligning andsecuringf f position, effecting relative movementbetween the working tool and'the j'secondwork ,piec'e i while] "simultaneously removing and replacing I in reverse position the'first work piece and aligning and securing the same, rotating both work pieces about the same axis to bring'the first again into working position but; with its unworked Ifacepresentedfor working and toresuccessive work pieces,

turn the second for the first time to the-align-' ing and securing -position, effecting relative" movement between the working tool and thefirst work piece, and continuingthe process with 

